THE Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) has reiterated Government’s position that the motion moved by Leader of the Opposition titled ‘Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the incidence of Trafficking in Persons in Guyana’ will only result in duplication of efforts and a waste of resources. The Task Force was responding to a press release issued by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on May 24, 2013.

The Government of Guyana has moved beyond mere talk about “supporting children and the future of the country” and in effect has allocated resources to fund programmes designed to do precisely what the motion calls for, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.  Recognising the security-development nexus, Government has prioritised social sector spending targeted at removing factors that can contribute to trafficking in persons.
Annually, since 2008, Government has published reports based on robust assessments of the prevalence of trafficking in persons in Guyana as well as its responses in combating the scourge.  “Those who call for a Commission of Inquiry will find that if they immerse themselves in the contents of these Reports they will arrive at the inescapable conclusion that their request is superfluous and self-serving particularly for those who claim they want to help,” the ministry stated.
While the Opposition calls for an ‘Inquiry’ into what is already known, Government continues to strive to implement programmes to strengthen capacity to detect and investigate trafficking in person matters and offer assistance to victims.  Further, Government with support from NGOs is in the process of implementing programmes to combat trafficking in persons through prosecution, prevention, protection, reintegration and public awareness.
According to the ministry, Government has an unblemished track record in focusing on the social sector where a number of programmes are being implemented to complement initiatives aimed at tackling trafficking in persons.  These programmes include, inter alia: the Citizen Security and the Justice Reform Programmes, the USAID ‘Ruling Justly’ programme, programmes such as skills training for the poor and disadvantaged, the Single Parent Assistance Programme and Women of Worth micro-credit programme for women.
The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons remains open to constructive suggestions and supporting joint efforts to continue the fight against any expression of Trafficking in Persons, it will not however pander to un-substantiated views nor erroneous conclusions locally or externally about the extent to which TIP exists in Guyana.